Oaklands School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school Exceptional leadership has established a culture in which staff have high expectations of what can be achieved.

Oaklands School provides an outstanding standard of education. Pupils receive highly individualised teaching which takes very close account of their different needs. Teachers and support staff respond skilfully to the small steps of progress pupils make over time.

Staff consider pupils' progress in great detail. This thorough approach contributes to pupils making consistently strong progress across the curriculum, including in English and mathematics. Relationships between staff and pupils and between pupils and their pe...ers are excellent.

This makes a significant contribution to the progress that pupils make. Pupils' personal development and welfare are promoted exceptionally well. Pupils develop confidence and independence as a result of a very carefully planned curriculum.

There is no sense of complacency in leaders' and governors' work. Governors support and challenge leaders appropriately to ensure that the school continues to improve rapidly. This has helped the school to improve since its previous inspection.

Children make an excellent start in the recently opened Reception and Year 1 classes. Children in the early years enjoy their learning, making quick progress as a result of focused teaching and support. Sixth-form provision is outstanding.

Study programmes are tailored carefully to individuals' needs. They prepare students exceptionally well for their life beyond school. Parents speak highly of the communication between home and school and, in particular, of the opportunities provided to gain work experience.

Information about this school

Oaklands School caters for pupils with severe learning difficulties, profound or multiple learning difficulties, and autistic spectrum disorders. A number of pupils also demonstrate challenging behaviour. The school has an expanding roll.

Pupils were admitted to the Reception Year and to Year 1 in September 2018 for the first time. It is intended that pupils will be admitted in the Reception Year each September, so that there are pupils on roll in each year group from 2023. All pupils have an education, health and care plan.

The proportion of pupils eligible for the pupil premium is above average. The ethnic heritage of pupils is diverse. More than half of pupils speak English as an additional language.

Also at this postcode